(1)If a police officer with authority to arrest or a person acting under an arrest warrant has reason to believe that the person to be arrested is inside any place and demands entry to that place, any person residing in or in charge of the place must allow him free entry and provide all reasonable facilities for a search in it.
Section history
Section 77 — Search of place entered by person sought to be arrested
As in force on 1 January 2020.
Timeline 3 versions
- 2 January 2011 Enacted
- 1 January 2020 You are here
- 31 December 2021 Revised edition
- 17 August 2026 Latest
(2)If entry to that place cannot be gained under subsection (1), it shall be lawful for a police officer with authority to arrest or a person acting under an arrest warrant to enter and search the place.
(3)In any case in which an arrest warrant may be issued but cannot be obtained without the risk of the person to be arrested escaping, a police officer may enter and search the place.
(4)After stating his authority and purpose and demanding entry to a place, a police officer with authority to arrest or a person acting under an arrest warrant who is unable to obtain entry may, for the purposes of subsection (2) or (3), break open any outer or inner door or window or use any other reasonable means to gain such entry.